by Alfonz Juck
Kirani James, photo by PhotoRun.net
LaShawn Merritt, photo by PhotoRun.net
James vs Merritt
DES MOINES (USA): The 107th Drake Relays highlights are for Friday and Saturdaymen 400 m with first years clash of Kirani James vs LaShawn Merritt, Omar McLeod with Hansle Parchment, Aries Merritt and David Oliver are in the high hurdles. Women hurdles are offering early world leader Kendra Harrison against Dawn Harper-Nelson, Jasmin Stowers, Brianna Rollins, Kendra Harrison and Nia Ali. Jenny Simpson is in women 1500 m, Brittney Reese in women long jump, Boris Berian in the 800 m, Will Claye and Marquis Dendy in triple, Michelle Carter in shot put, Javier Culson against Jeffery Gibson in 400 m hurdles. Always very special shuttle hurdles mixed relays this time. Spectators will notice a few changes to this year’s event as competitors might be giving it a little more to earn some extra coin. Athletes will be able to ‘Leap For Loot’ and ‘Throw For Dough’ to win an additional 9000 USD. In the women’s long jump and men’s triple jump, competitors will ‘Leap For Loot’ with an additional $1,500 being awarded to the top jumper in each of the event’s six rounds. Combined with the existing purse money, $15,000 in total money is now up for grabs in each of the two events. The women’s shot put field will have a similar structure as the field ‘Throws For Dough.’ The top mark in each of the event’s six rounds will collect $1,500. The worry is the weather as the forecast is not very favorable
Larry Eder responds: Kudos to Hy-Vee, the major sponsor of Drake and the team at the Drake Relays. Continuing to innovate, bring in tremendous athletes and curating excellent rivalries is no mean task, and Drake’s team management does a great job! The Merritt vs James is a case in point. Two of the three finest 400 meter runners in the world, Drake fans will be spoiled on Friday with this an dmany of the other competitions. Bring your winter jackets, because it could be cold.
